5 Things to Throw Out When You Move In With Bae

And what's actually worth buying and keeping.

By
Emily Schuman

May 24, 2017

Courtesy of Cupcakes and Cashmere

I moved in with my now-husband nine years ago, after dating for only eight months. I was 24 and had never lived with a significant other, but our whirlwind romance quickly melded into something more serious that warranted a move to the proverbial “next step." I'd had an adorable, light-filled studio with hardwood floors and a pool in the courtyard (think Melrose Place with a sort of '70s jungle theme), all of which I happily gave up so I could wake up each morning next to him.

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But I didn't anticipate how tough it would be to condense all my belongings in order to fit into his one-bedroom place. Here’s what I threw out when I moved in with Geoffrey — and why I decided to part with them.

1. Dated electronics. When G and I started dating, my TV was a 900-pound gorilla with terrible speakers and poor picture quality. He, on the other hand, had an entire entertainment system, with a flat-screen plasma TV and surround sound — and a way comfier couch, to boot. When we moved in, we didn't even have to discuss whose electronics we were keeping. I was ecstatic when I was able to sell my entire entertainment "system" to the girl who was moving into my apartment. Convincing your guy to give up his dated PS2 player is a battle for another time.

Instead: Put the change you get from selling your system toward a joint home-goods fund. Use it to spruce up your new place with some (even more stylish) touches.

2. Clothing. Although I lived in a studio, I was lucky that it had an absurd amount of closet space. Since G had to downsize his collection in order to give me one of his closets, I needed to do the same. While I didn't get rid of any favorite pieces, it was a good time to edit out older items I no longer wore (I used to go for a lot of cringe-worthy trends like belted waists and poufy shoulders) — in addition to the ratty sweatsuits I wore when I was on my own. Nobody’s ever thrilled by the idea of having a smaller closet but I used it as an opportunity to create an impressively curated wardrobe. Also consider donating gently worn items that are still in good condition.

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Instead: Try investing in a couple pieces that are stylish and versatile that you know you'll wear again and again.

3. Keepsakes. I'm a nostalgic person, so I accumulate keepsakes a little too easily. But when you move in with someone else, you realize that your *NSYNC ticket stub, love notes from ex-boyfriends, and dried-up roses aren't quite as necessary as you'd previously thought. Of course, that didn't mean I threw out out every memento I owned — I found a beautiful box that fit under our bed and selected only what could fit in there (birthday cards from friends I’m no longer in touch with were recycled; middle-school journals made the cut).

Instead: Buy whimsical journals and cards, which are cute mementos that don't take up so much space.

4. Beauty products. At any given point, I have about 13 lip glosses in my possession, only one of which I use regularly. The same can be said about perfumes and body lotions. When I moved in with G, I tossed all the little samples and dried-up remnants of products I'd been holding onto and relished in the fact that the items I was left with were things I truly loved and actually used.

Instead: Pick up a playful makeup pouch, which can stash your essentials in one place. And a candle will keep your shared space smelling fresh.

5. Duplicates. At 24, I didn't necessarily have all of the household essentials I needed (but an egg poacher you could put in the microwave? You bet!). But once G and I moved in together, we realized there was a fair amount of crossover. Although none of them took up that much room, one home doesn't need multiple scissors or kitchen tongs — or even the same books.

Instead: Use your space for some kitchen items that’ll come in handy when entertaining guests in your new home.

Emily Schuman is the founder and CEO of the Los Angeles-based blog Cupcakes and Cashmere. Her new online store, Shop Cupcakes and Cashmere, carries her clothing and home-goods lines, as well as exclusive collaborations and hand-selected apparel and gifts.

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